Bohemian Paradise Apples – The Station of Apple Breeding for Disease Resistance

08. 07. 2024

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away – and we can’t help but agree. There aren’t many research facilities where you can enjoy the fruits of their labor right from the source. In this case, from their very own apple orchard. We find ourselves in Střížovice near Turnov at the Station of Apple Breeding for Disease Resistance, which is part of the Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

Written and prepared by: Markéta Wernerová, External Relations Division, CAO of the CAS
Translated by: Tereza Novická, External Relations Division, CAO of the CAS
Photo: Jana Plavec, External Relations Division, CAO of the CAS

The text and photos are released for use under the Creative Commons licence.

The Station of Apple Breeding for Disease Resistance is part of the Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, located in Střížovice near Turnov, Czech Republic.

For almost 70 years, the experts at Střížovice Station have dedicated their efforts to breeding apple varieties resistant to diseases, especially scab, powdery mildew, and fire blight – the most significant apple diseases.

Research at the Střížovice Station focuses on two main areas: columnar table varieties, particularly suitable for home gardens, and universal pollinators/ornamental varieties with small inedible fruits intended for pollination purposes.

Modern breeding relies on various measurable parameters from the laboratory. “Key factors include appearance, taste, flesh consistency, firmness, sugar content, as well as allergen content and storability,” Jan Zima Jr explains.

Modern breeding relies on various measurable parameters from the laboratory.

“These days, tasting the apples alone is not enough for IEB’s commercial partners. The competition is tough,” Dimitrij Tyč explains.

If a new variety’s traits match current requirements and trends as closely as possible, or the variety has some added value, it then has the potential to succeed regionally or even globally.

Collaboration between breeders in Střížovice and global apple market traders has led to unusual success. The fame of the Opal® variety has transcended not only our country’s borders, but even our planet’s, too. In 2015, apples bred in Střížovice found their way to the International Space Station (ISS).

Storage facilities at the Střížovice Station.

“The history of this station dates back to 1955 when tinsmith and enthusiastic amateur fruit grower Otto Louda decided to establish an experimental station in his native town Střížovice in cooperation with the Biological Institute of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences,” Jan Zima recounts while harvesting apples.

Heavy machinery can also be found in the orchard...

Disease resistance significantly reduces the need for chemical sprays in orchards, which lowers costs, allows fruit to be grown organically, and protects the environment.

Střížovice apple varieties are highly sought after by growers from all around the world.

The Czech Academy of Sciences (the CAS)

The mission of the CAS

The primary mission of the CAS is to conduct research in a broad spectrum of natural, technical and social sciences as well as humanities. This research aims to advance progress of scientific knowledge at the international level, considering, however, the specific needs of the Czech society and the national culture.

President of the CAS

Prof. Radomír Pánek started his first term of office in March 2025. He is a prominent Czech scientist specializing in plasma physics and nuclear fusion.

Bohemian Paradise Apples – The Station of Apple Breeding for Disease Resistance

The Station of Apple Breeding for Disease Resistance is part of the Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, located in Střížovice near Turnov, Czech Republic.

For almost 70 years, the experts at Střížovice Station have dedicated their efforts to breeding apple varieties resistant to diseases, especially scab, powdery mildew, and fire blight – the most significant apple diseases.

Research at the Střížovice Station focuses on two main areas: columnar table varieties, particularly suitable for home gardens, and universal pollinators/ornamental varieties with small inedible fruits intended for pollination purposes.

Modern breeding relies on various measurable parameters from the laboratory. “Key factors include appearance, taste, flesh consistency, firmness, sugar content, as well as allergen content and storability,” Jan Zima Jr explains.

Modern breeding relies on various measurable parameters from the laboratory.

Modern breeding relies on various measurable parameters from the laboratory.

Modern breeding relies on various measurable parameters from the laboratory.

“These days, tasting the apples alone is not enough for IEB’s commercial partners. The competition is tough,” Dimitrij Tyč explains.

If a new variety’s traits match current requirements and trends as closely as possible, or the variety has some added value, it then has the potential to succeed regionally or even globally.

Storage facilities at the Střížovice Station.

Heavy machinery can also be found in the orchard...

Disease resistance significantly reduces the need for chemical sprays in orchards, which lowers costs, allows fruit to be grown organically, and protects the environment.

Střížovice apple varieties are highly sought after by growers from all around the world.

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The Czech Academy of Sciences (the CAS)